There are five on-site restaurants; the Seaside Grill and the Himitsu Japanese restaurant soon becam

What can I say about Cancun that hasn t already been said? It s known for spring break when throngs cheap car rental new york of American college students hit the beaches for the sort of partying that Mom and Dad don t ever hear about. But once they go back to campus, this tropical Paradise returns cheap car rental new york to being a fantastic destination for travelers of all types. You want romance, family fun, ecotourism, historical tours - Cancun has it all! It s a terrific destination any time of year.
My friend, Melody, and I wanted a getaway to the tropics for relaxation and a chance to do nothing at all! No men, kids, or work just two women friends of a certain age. As the northeast was getting pounded by the white stuff, we planned to yak, nap, and swim. OK, there was also mention of wanting to spend some time at a swim up bar!
Our criteria were simple since we d be arriving from different airports, we wanted direct flights from Denver and Hartford; reliably fantastic weather was a must, and no rental car required. WE also didn't want to be afraid of what some in the US fear about our friendly neighbor to the South. Cancun fit the bill on all counts!
There are hundreds of all inclusive resorts along the Boulevard cheap car rental new york Kukulan, the main route running through the Hotel Zone which is shaped like the number 7 . Shops, bars, souvenir shops, and restaurants are aplenty, too. Dreams Cancun Resort , located at the northernmost tip of the zone, has the best location because it is surrounded by ocean and beautiful white sand beaches on all sides .even the internal part of the resort has a water view of the lagoon and dolphin area.
It s a great spot for families because of the entertainment and organized activities, cheap car rental new york and the prices are reasonable. The rooms were clean and the staff very friendly, but this is not a luxurious hotel. The facility is old and would benefit from some updating. There are steep ramps leading to the elevators which made it difficult to assist my friend who at times requires a wheel chair.
There are five on-site restaurants; the Seaside Grill and the Himitsu Japanese restaurant soon became our favorites. Virtually everyone speaks English, prices are quoted in US dollars and most of the guests are American or Canadian. Many guests cheap car rental new york are repeat cheap car rental new york visitors cheap car rental new york always a good sign.
After a few days of doing our version of nothing , and a stop or two at that swim up bar, we got restless and sought out a sea adventure to experience cheap car rental new york the area s natural cheap car rental new york environment. There are numerous tours to Isla Mujeres but not as many to the more distant Isla Contoy . For something a little cheap car rental new york unusual, Kolumbus Tours offers eco-historical adventures aboard reproductions of historical ships.
La Pinta is slightly smaller than the original, which brought Columbus to the new world, but it s virtually identical in design, and built of local hardwood. It s small enough that you ll know all the passengers by the end of the day; it s also small enough that you ll get tossed around and wet so rain gear is essential!
Someone gets seasick each time out fortunately it wasn t either one of us, but for the two women who were ill it was distressing to watch. The crew cannot dispense medication so consider taking something before departure if you suffer from motion sickness. It s a couple of hours to reach Isla Contoy and the waves can be rough.
Once there, you ll find a practically deserted island with wide beaches and crystal cheap car rental new york clear water. There s a small museum and research center hosting the biologists who are there for short research stints.
It s worth climbing to the top of the observatory tower next to the museum. The view is fantastic cheap car rental new york and you ll realize this is a bird paradise. Flocks of large and small birds seem to hover over the forest and fill the sky everywhere you look. More than a hundred fifty species reside or migrate through - crown pelicans, frigates, and cormorants are common sightings.
There s a thatched hut on the water from which you can watch the birds close up without disturbing them. It s fascinating, but don t forget to look down into the water to see the fish. If bird watching is your primary interest, talk with Kolumbus Tours about a custom designed trip.
Snorkel cheap car rental new york gear is provided. There wasn t much to observe when we were there one big starfish and dozens of friendly stingrays approaching while we stood in the water. After your explorations, return to the ship for al fresco dining of grilled fish and vegetables prepared by the crew.
Poll any group of women about what they enjoy with close friends and a spa day is at the top of the list. GEM Spa is located at the ultra luxurious Fiesta Americana cheap car rental new york Grand Coral Beach resort. Within a few seconds of walking cheap car rental new york through the door you ll feel like a princess. At 40,000 square cheap car rental new york feet it is large, but judging by the individual attention you ll receive, it feels small and intimate.
After donning elegant robes you ll be led through a series steps to cleanse, purify and stimulate. Time stops and silence embraces you in the wood scented cheap car rental new york sauna. Just when reality is a distant memory your guide arrives to take you to the rain shower. Next up is the eucalyptus scented steam room.
After another refreshing shower, you ll willingly shiver in the ice room to open your pores, take another invigorating shower and finally, slide into a sparkling pool, totally relaxed. The tile work surrounding you is, quite simply, beyond exquisite. Each color and surface contributes to your state of mind and body. The ice room s greenish tiles and curved ceiling gives the impression of being in an Arctic cheap car rental new york igloo.
Now, after this two hour introduction, it s time for your treatment! I felt like Dorothy cheap car rental new york as she was being scrubbed and dolled up to meet the wizard! For the next 90 minutes my body was massaged, and my mind was soothed to soft violin, piano, and flute. I relaxed into the soft scents cheap car rental new york in the air. Oh, sweet bliss! The experience at this luxurious facility was amazing. I d like to take my mother for Mother s Day, my sister for her birthday, and my best friends for any day!
No, not the actual dolphins that were used for the series, but several bottlenose dolphins at the Delphinus facility within the Dreams resort. They were just as playful and affectionate as the TV Flipper.
I jumped into the water and moved to the middle of the pool, just as the trainer instructed. Soon two beady eyes approached. I braced myself cheap car rental new york for something .unsure what . and was thrilled cheap car rental new york when the dolphin rose out of the water and planted a kiss on my cheek. My newest friend, Nuk, is a ten year old bottlenose dolphin. His name means big in the Mayan language. When you go to Cancun . swimming with the dolphins cheap car rental new york is a must!
You ll learn some hand signals to invite them to spin, flip, and jump. You might even be able to hold one, stroking his skin, observing him up close. He ll shake his tail at you, swim by and around you and, finally, allow you to grab on for a thrilling ride across the pool.
Dolphins are extremely intelligent and scientists have researched them for years. They clearly communicate cheap car rental new york with each other and are able to learn visual and auditory messages. Luisa, a Delphinus trainer told me it is the dolphins who train her rather than the other way around. A love of the animals is a must and a strong cheap car rental new york trust develops between each trainer and the dolphin she works with.
Most of these dolphins were born in captivity, the result of a very successful breeding program at Delphinus. The company has been recognized for their medical research and record number of live dolphin births. cheap car rental new york Like humans, the baby dolphin emerges from the mother s womb. Unlike humans, however, the baby immediately has complete mobility! Look at the Delphinus website cheap car rental new york for an impressive video of a close up, live dolphin birth.
You don t always need to do that in Cancun, but if you re going someplace special it s a good idea. It s tucked cheap car rental new york away in a little alley in the hotel district. Only upon entering did I realize what a gorgeous spot it has on the water!
Our table would have been ideal for honeymooners. It s an open air restaurant and the ambience is magnificent. The attentive staff treated cheap car rental new york us as if we were the only diners, yet the place was busy and festive with tourists and plenty of locals.
We sampled tequila and mescal from shot glasses as Manager Carlos Cruz explained how they differ and are made. They looked similar in their impressive bottles. Mezcal is made from roasted agave plant, and often has a smoky flavor. Tequila, the liquor used in margaritas, is only made from steamed blue agave plant.
Like anything else, there are many variations and factors that impact quality cheap car rental new york and flavor. On that note, he brought us margaritas and a variety of appetizers before the main courses. The Shrimp in Pineapple Sauce was beautifully presented and the flavors made for the tastiest dish I had all week. The small lobster won lots of kudos from Melody.
Now it s May, 2011 and I m in New England with Spring in the air but I m dreaming cheap car rental new york of Cancun. Each morning I see their daily post on Facebook. Today s, accompanied by an inviting photo, says I think I know what you need. Yes, Cancun, you do!